If the Netherlands can put five past the world champions, what hope Australia? Granted, it will require something special for the Socceroos to extend their unbeaten run against the Dutch but – strange as it sounds – don't rule it out.

The Oranje have spent the past couple of days bathing in the glory of their spectacular win against Spain, and rightly so. It was as clinical as it was unexpected. A triumph of tactics for Louis van Gaal and a coronation of sorts for Arjen Robben, champing at the bit to put himself in the pantheon after an injury-interrupted season with Bayern Munich.

Robben has always been a good player, now he can become a great one. His second goal was the complete package – speed to get past Sergio Ramos despite conceding a five-metre head start, strength to pivot and work the ball onto his left foot, and composure to stroke it into what became an empty net.

In the end it was five, but it could have been seven or eight. Ominous not just for Australia, but for the World Cup as a whole. A team that has lost three World Cup finals arrived in Brazil with less than the usual fanfare and ructions over van Gaal's controversial decision to tinker with the time-honoured 4-3-3 formation. Vindication came in Salvador for both coach and players, and then some.

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And yet slivers of hope for the Socceroos emerged from the rainstorm at the Arena Fonte Nova, and if they're focused enough, and have recovered well enough from their exertions in Cuiaba, there could be something to grab onto in Porto Alegre. In many ways this was a very British win for the Dutch, something which can conceivably play into Australia's hands.

Notably, the first three Dutch goals came from balls over the top. Two lessons for Australia: put pressure on the delivery, and be physical in the contest. That's about effort, and commitment – things which were once second-nature to Australian players. They're qualities Ange Postecoglou has devoted plenty of time to reinstalling in his dressing room.

The bigger, more complex, task, is to respond to whichever system van Gaal chooses to employ. If it's the 3-5-2 used against Spain, Postecoglou may consider the value of playing deeper in defence in order to create more room in what would otherwise be a super-crowded midfield. The brutal truth is Australia will struggle to keep possession if it becomes hand-to-hand combat.

The potential benefit for Australia if the Dutch persevere with this system is that the wide players used by van Gaal – Daley Blind on the left and Daryl Janmaat on the right – showed little inclination to get over the top against the Spanish. That may give the Socceroos' fullbacks time and energy to be more positive in attack which, in turn, should help Tim Cahill get the service he requires.

If the Dutch instead adopt a 4-4-2 – a switch which van Gaal has hinted at for the game against Australia – it gets simpler for the Socceroos, and suits the 4-2-3-1 Postecoglou prefers. Key issues in this scenario will be defending against Robin van Persie in the air, and meeting the ball-winning challenge of Holland's 'bruise brothers' Nigel de Jong and Jonathan de Guzman, thus minimising the service to the dangerman Robben.

This may sound more reactive than proactive, but there's no shame in that. Catching the Dutch on the bounce from a win that sent shock waves through the world requires careful consideration. Recovering mentally from the disappointment of the so-near-and-yet-so-far performance against Chile is another element of the equation.

A couple of harsh lessons from Cuiaba, particularly in one-on-one defending, need to be learned if the Socceroos are to make it a contest in Porto Alegre. But they've already shown they're learning quickly under Postecoglou, and are willing to adapt. One win in five games (including friendlies) under the new coach may suggest slow progress. Truth is, it's been anything but.

84 comments so far

Why were so many people writing off the Netherlands against Spain? I mean according to my FIFA app they had one of the most solid preparations for the world cup out of the Euro team, only Germany scored more goals, I'm not a huge Football person, so that's a genuine question. Unless Spain had a particularly bad day against NL, I can't really see Australia beating them, which works ok for me because given Cahill's bleating about Chile being cheats, I've renounced Australia as my no.1 team anyway, and NL fits in the no.1 spot for me quite nicely. Hup Holland!!

Commenter

Michael

Location

Parramatta

Date and time

June 15, 2014, 7:15PM

apparently we are reasonably adept with a hockey stick when it comes to engaging the Netherlands......we did WIN that World Cup :o)

Commenter

Ye old one

Location

Date and time

June 16, 2014, 7:17AM

The Netherlands are a great team with two outstanding strikers but there is a reason why all their goals came from the 44th minute on, Spain's key players are old. Up to that point, Spain should have easily netted 3 goals but in the second half they were out of puff. This is why the Netherlands ran rampant in the second half, which exaggerates their ability.

Commenter

Old Father Time

Location

Date and time

June 16, 2014, 7:30AM

PEOPLE WANT DUTCH !

Commenter

supersquirrel

Location

Date and time

June 16, 2014, 7:47AM

If cheating is the action of the day, why should Australia not join that game. Offer permanent residency in Oz to unhappy players and to referees (out of suppressive African states). I bet that suddenly the Socceroos can score even if Chill is not playing. Yellow and red cards will not be shown to the Socceroos.

Commenter

Mountain Man

Location

High Country

Date and time

June 16, 2014, 7:49AM

Michael - they lost their best defensive midfielder in Kevin Strotoman. They have one of the most inexperienced backlines and goalkeeper (next to Australia) in the competition. They lost 100 plus cap Rafael van der Vaart just prior to the start of the World Cup. They are experimenting with new formations as a result - moving away from the traditional 4-3-3 formation that has a centre forward and two wingers to a 5-3-2. They are heavily reliant on the big three of van Persie, Robben and Sneijder - if any of those three gets an injury it will be curtains for their chances.

Commenter

Swifty

Location

from the streets of Western Sydney

Date and time

June 16, 2014, 8:46AM

Well done Micheal, you've been looking for an excuse not to support Australia and found one. Now conveniently you support NL. Well move there. I wasn't happy with Cahills comments but ill still support Australia always.

Commenter

Ashley

Date and time

June 16, 2014, 11:45AM

Who really cares about this round ball game when the State of Origin is on Wednesday night?Better outcomes in soccer would happen if the goals were wider and higher or just have penalty shoot outs with no goal keeper.Hang on, I just tapped my shin on a chair, I had better roll on the floor for a few minutes in feinged agony. Spectacular monents in sport . . . . . ..

Commenter

George Johnstoned

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

June 16, 2014, 11:49AM

OK.... let's be honest here, you were dreaming when you wrote this piece right?

Commenter

Jim

Location

Shanghai

Date and time

June 15, 2014, 7:59PM

Carried away with Australia's thrashing of the Netherlands in the hockey world cup, perhaps.